END USER INSIGHT technology ,” said Jeff Denworth , Cofounder of VAST Data . “ For Elemental and future films , we ’ re delivering a data platform that powers the animation and rendering workflows for their most dataintensive and computationally heavy projects , while enabling its AI and ML pipeline for the future in order to further the ambitions of Pixar artists and the stories they ’ re able to tell .” constantly busy while enabling improved observability and analytics , simplified collaboration and development across multiple productions running at the same time and laying the foundation to leverage AI and Deep Learning for future films .
“ Pixar is the world ’ s leading innovator in animation and in order to continue to deliver new stories , breath-taking visual environments and memorable characters , we require the industry ’ s most innovative technologies to help us bring the animators ’ vision to life ,” said Eric Bermender , Head of Data Center and IT Infrastructure at Pixar Animation Studios . “ Elemental is the most technically complex film that Pixar has ever made , but with VAST we were able to build beyond our current level of animation and consider new techniques that no one had ever considered before because we didn ’ t have the technology in place to support it . VAST ’ s technology has allowed us to change the way we store and access data while also opening the door to new potential visual pipelines .”
In collaboration with VAST , Pixar has :
• Optimised data access : The compute requirements for Elemental demanded fast and concurrent data access from hundreds of thousands of processors used in the render pipeline . VAST delivered fast , uninterrupted performance even during the film ’ s peak rendering usage , requiring nearly two
Petabytes of capacity at one time ( compared to previous films over the last five years using only about 300 to 500 Terabytes of capacity ).
• Improved operational resilience : With different productions in different stages of rendering at any given time , Pixar depends on VAST ’ s Data Platform to handle the volumetric demands of several films being developed at the same time . With VAST , these pipelines enjoy the uptime needed to meet Pixar ’ s intense film production schedules and release dates .
• Engaged audiences with visually stunning storytelling : The parallel data access , high performance and scale of the VAST Data Platform allowed Pixar to render nearly 150,000 volumetric frames in Elemental alone – each of which helped give these brilliant characters and spectacular environments their new and unique look .
• Built the foundation for future generations of AI-powered cinematography : Using VAST ’ s Data Platform , Pixar projects are now available for the types of high-speed data processing required to employ new animation techniques using Machine Learning and Deep Learning training models for automated and improved production processes .
“ At VAST , we ’ re so proud to work with Pixar as they create timeless cinematic magic by simultaneously pushing the boundaries of storytelling and
Eric Bermender , Head of Data Center and IT Infrastructure , Pixar , offers insight into his role and the influences of data management for creative endeavours .
Can you provide an overview of your role and what this looks like day-to-day ?
I manage two systems teams , the data storage team and the data centre operations team . My typical day is fairly atypical in that my focus changes depending on many production , technical and studio factors .
In general , about a third of my meetings during a week is with various production artists and teams , another third is with various systems technology engineers and teams , while the remainder is with our studio staff and teams . I ’ m very privileged to hold a position that allows me to engage with all these various teams and individuals in a creatively dynamic environment .
How does the data centre play a part in supporting / enabling the continuous innovation of the film industry and projects such as this ?
One of the most creatively challenging and enjoyable parts of my job is working with our engineers to extend the envelope of technology in service to production . We have a saying at Pixar – art pushes technology . The data centres we have on campus are the core pieces of infrastructure that enable us to do this . Periodically , we need to reconfigure and upgrade that infrastructure to accommodate the latest computer technologies . Our data centre team is tasked with maintaining the ‘ state-of-theart ’ to enable the ‘ art ’.
50 www . intelligentdatacentres . com